NJ Supreme Court won't hear child killer's appeal

MORRISTOWN (AP) — New Jersey’s top court won’t hear an appeal brought by a Honduran immigrant who sexually assaulted and killed a 10-year-old boy in 2001.

The state Supreme Court decision, made public this week, ends Porfiro Jimenez’s bid for a new trial.

Jimenez was convicted in October 2008 on murder, kidnapping and other charges in the death of 10-year-old Walter Valenzuela. He’s now serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.

During his trial, prosecutors said Jimenez lured the boy away from a neighborhood playground and attended a church carnival with him before beating and stabbing him to death in a secluded spot in Morristown. His body was found two days later.

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Jimenez’s lawyers have claimed the day laborer was mentally retarded and insane when he committed the crime.